R.U.R. Karel Čapek (story read aloud .TXT) 📖

ideas. Helena Like Nana? Alquist Yes, like Nana. Has Nana got a prayer book? Helena Yes, a big thick one. Alquist And has it got prayers for various occasions? Against thunderstorms? Against illness? But not against progress? Helena I don’t think so. Alquist That’s a pity. Helena Why, do you mean you’d like to pray? Alquist I do pray. Helena How? Alquist Something like this: “Oh, Lord, I thank thee for having given me toil; enlighten Domin and all those who are astray; destroy their work, and aid mankind to return to their labors; let them not suffer harm in soul or body; deliver us from the Robots, and protect Helena. Amen.” Helena Touches his arm; pats it. Mr. Alquist, are you a believer? Alquist I don’t know. I’m not quite sure. Helena And yet you pray? Alquist That’s better than worrying about it. Helena And that’s enough for you? Alquist Ironically. It has to be. Helena But if you thought you saw the destruction of mankind coming upon us⁠— Alquist I do see it. Helena You mean mankind will be destroyed? Alquist It’s bound to be unless⁠—unless. Helena What? Alquist Nothing. Pats her shoulder. Rises. Goodbye. Exits L. 2. Helena Rises. Calling. Nana, Nana! Nana enters L. 1. Is Radius still there? Nana L. C. The one who went mad? They haven’t come for him yet. Helena Is he still raving? Nana No. He’s tied up. Helena Please bring him here. Nana What? Helena At once, Nana. Exits Nana L. 1. Helena to telephone. Hello, Doctor Gall, please. Oh, good day, Doctor. Yes, it’s Helena. Thanks for your lovely present. Could you come and see me right away? It’s important. Thank you. Enter Radius L. 1; looks at Helena, then turns head up L. She crosses to him, L. C. Poor Radius, you’ve caught it too? Now they’ll send you to the stamping mill. Couldn’t you control yourself? Why did it happen? You see, Radius, you are more intelligent than the rest. Doctor Gall took such trouble to make you different. Won’t you speak? Radius Looking at her. Send me to the stamping mill. Open and close fists. Helena But I don’t want them to kill you. What was the trouble, Radius? Radius Two steps toward her. Opens and closes fists. I won’t work for you. Put me into the stamping mill. Helena Do you hate us? Why? Radius You are not as strong as the Robots. You are not as skillful as the Robots. The Robots can do everything. You only give orders. You do nothing but talk. Helena But someone must give orders. Radius I don’t want a master. I know everything for myself. Helena Radius! Doctor Gall gave you a better brain than the rest, better than ours. You are the only one of the Robots that understands perfectly. That’s why I had you put into the library, so that you could read everything, understand everything, and then, oh, Radius⁠—I wanted you to show the whole world that the Robots are our equals. That’s what I wanted of you. Radius I don’t want a master. I want to be master over others. Helena I’m sure they’d put you in charge of many Robots. You would be a teacher of the Robots. Radius I want to be master over people. Head up. Pride. Helena Staggering. You are mad. Radius Head down low, crosses toward L.; opens hands. Then send me to the stamping mill. Helena Steps to him. Do you think we’re afraid of you? Rushing to desk and writing note. Radius Turns his head uneasily. What are you going to do? What are you going to do? Starts for her. Helena Crosses to R. of him. Radius! He cowers. Body sways. Give this note to Mr. Domin. He faces her. It asks them not to send you to the stamping mill. I’m sorry you hate us so. Dr. Gall Enters L. 2; goes to C. upstage. You wanted me? Helena Backs away. It’s about Radius, Doctor. He had an attack this morning. He smashed the statues downstairs. Dr. Gall Looks at him. What a pity to lose him. At C. Helena Radius isn’t going to be put into the stamping mill. Stands to the R. of Gall. Dr. Gall But every Robot after he has had an attack⁠—it’s a strict order. Helena No matter⁠—Radius isn’t going, if I can prevent it. Dr. Gall But I warn you. It’s dangerous. Come here to the window, my good fellow. Let’s have a look. Please give me a needle or a pin. Crosses up R. Radius follows. Helena gets a needle from workbasket on table R. Helena What for? Dr. Gall A test. Helena gives him the needle. Gall crosses up to Radius, who faces him. Sticks it into his hand and Radius gives a violent start. Gently, gently. Opens the jacket of Radius and puts his ear to his heart. Radius, you are going into the stamping mill, do you understand? There they’ll kill you⁠—takes glasses off and cleans them⁠—and grind you to powder. Radius opens hands and fingers. That’s terribly painful. It will make you scream aloud. Opens Radius’s eye. Radius trembles. Helena Doctor⁠—(Standing near couch.) Dr. Gall No, no, Radius, I was wrong. I forgot that Madame Domin has put in a good word for you, and you’ll be left off. Listens to heart. Ah, that does make a difference. Radius relaxes. Again listens to his heart for a reaction. All right⁠—you can go. Radius You do unnecessary things⁠—Exit Radius L. 2. Dr. Gall Speaks to her⁠—very concerned. Reaction of the pupils, increase of sensitiveness. It wasn’t an attack characteristic of the Robots. Helena What was it, then? Sits in couch. Dr. Gall (C.) Heaven knows. Stubbornness, anger or revolt⁠—I don’t know. And his heart, too. Helena What? Dr. Gall It was fluttering with nervousness like a human heart. He was all in a sweat with fear,